Question

23 Weeks- Braxton Hicks?

Share

I am 23 weeks and just recently I've started feeling a strange pressure in my lower abdomen, under my belly button. There's no pain or much discomfort associated with the pressure, it just feels like something is tightening up, and it only lasts a few seconds. Has anyone else felt this? I wonder if this is what Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?

Mom Answers

This is my forth child(finally a boy) Each of the last 3 have all been early. I usually start having "BH" around 24 weeks. Only mine like some of the other posts is acyually pre term labor. The last two kids I had I spent about 7 weeks in the hospital on bedrest with losts of stopping labor drugs, laying on my left side and drinking so much water. If you are having these already I hope you have a good OB. and lots of patience for when you have to just sit and lay all day on bed rest. It does turn out worth it when you child is healthy. Good rule of thumb is if something is alarming enough that you make a post or your asking questions bring your concerns to your Ob so they can check it out, if it is nothing at least now you have a peace of mind.

I am also 23 weeks pregnant with our 3rd child. I also have a lot of pressure without any pain. But when I feel my belly, I can feel our baby's back. It might just be your baby stretching and he or she is pushing against your belly. But I would still bring it up with your Dr. just in case. Good Luck to all

I am 23 weeks pregnant as well. I have had these pains since the very beginning. The dr. said that it was growing and stretching pains. But the other day at work I felt a little more than just cramping. About every 5 minutes or so I would get sharp pains in my lower abnomen and left side. All the way up on my left side. They would last about 2 minutes and then go away. I was fine after about an hour of this. Other than that I have had pains a lot but they are mostly when I am at work. They get to a point where I start waddling. I know I am not that big yet. But when my hips and tummy start hurting I can't help it. I even take at least 3 breaks at work after my dr had to write me a note. It sucks having to take the breaks but at the same time it gives me a chance to get my balance back and to help the pain a little as I am on my feet the whole time I am at work. And i am a manager so It makes it hard to make people understand what is going on, and that this is real, I have no choice.

Second pregnancy at 23 weeks I have Braxton Hicks if I have sex, lift too much, get too excited or when I have to wait to pee and the pressure builds up. My first doctor had to do test several times to even know for sure if I was having braxton hicks or premature labor. I had to take benadryl and rest often the first time. This time I have ignored them for the most part but was pretty much told to be careful. Mine sometimes get worse and sometimes have patterns. I would call or get check-ups if I wasn't sure what was going on, especially if it is your first pregnancy because your doctor expects the first time moms to be more concerned so they aren't suprised to hear from you.

I wouldn't completely agree with the "as long as you don't experience pain, gush of fluid or bleeding" bit. Be cautious of anything that you think is concerning. I get those cute little "Braxton Hick" contractions except that they are not Braxton Hicks and are actual contractions, that do dialate my cervix without any pain, fluid, or bleeding. This for me, is premature labor. If you are concerned, yes,do lie on your right side and drink as much water as possible. After 30 minutes and nothing changes, keep a count of how many contractions and how long they last. If they are remotely regular, and you are not comfortable, hello hospital. I'm not trying to scare anyone. As with my first, I had no idea I was at risk for premature labor, and certainly did not know that there was such thing as a painless labor. Not a painless birth, but painless labor. These "Braxton Hicks" continued throughout my labor until I reached 7 centimeters and then rapidly progressed to head coming out within 45min

Hi im also 23 weeks and the past 3 days iv been having sharp period like cramps on my left side starting from my pelvic bone to my left breast. So I called the Dr. and they checked me out they thought that is was Braxton Hicks witch is pre mature labor pains. So they did a vaginal ultrasound to check my cervix to see if they are thin or thick. But come to find out they are thick and every thing is ok. But my Dr. told me that was sighs of Braxton Hicks and we need to keep an eye on that. She thinks it was just Gas pains that I was having.

I am 23 weeks also and get the same feeling. I was told that some of it is Braxton Hicks which is normal. Come to find out you uters contract all the time, even when you aren't pregnant, but you usally dont feel it. With a growing baby inside it gets more noticable. I know that I started getting a sharp pain in my lower stomache, but the doctor siad that that was from being at work and standing to long.

At 23 weeks it may be nothing, but you should be sure to talk to your doctor about it at your next visit. When I was pregnant with my son I started feeling similar pressures about 19 wks. along. They worsened and at 23 wks. I went into premature labor. Docs couldn't stop it and my son was born 17 wks premature. He spent 4 months in an NICU 3 hrs. away from our home. I hope your situation is nothing at all, but please talk to your doctor just to be sure. I would hate for anyone to experience the heart-breaking times our family went through. Good Luck~!

This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

This site is published by BabyCenter, L.L.C., which is responsible for its contents as further described and qualified in the Terms of Use.